Tim Challies recently shared six things we all should get rid of. There’s nothing overtly new in terms of living a more unplugged life, but I did find it interesting to think of this list from the perspective of someone who’s grown-up immersed in technology. For most of us, we have a memory of life before Facebook, iPhone’s and email, but there is an up and coming generation that has only known these things to exist.
Here’s a quick overview of the six things Challies suggests we get rid of:
- Get Rid of Email
- Get Rid of Distraction
- Get Rid of Notifications
- Get Rid of Mobile
- Get Rid of Multitasking
- Get Rid of Your Phone
Before you have a knee jerk reaction and totally reject this list and bombard your mind with all the excuses reasons why you can’t get rid of these six things, pause and consider the ramifications (you might also read the descriptions he has for each of these, too). If you spend X amount of hours online, what is your net gain? What have you accomplished? Are you using technology or is technology using you? These are questions I try to ask myself on a regular basis. I want to look back on my life and remember quality time spent with love ones, not time next to love ones while tagging Instagrams I just took of them. I wonder, sometimes, if I’m consuming technology or if technology is consuming me.
The Next Gen
But what about the next generation? Their world is filled with email, distractions, notifications, mobile web, multitasking and smartphones. These are the very things that Challies lists and these are becoming primary fibers our world is being sewn with. Ask any youth pastor about teens and tech and they’ll agree. Will the next generations be immersed in these things more than we are, or will there be a radical revolt that will pull the pendulum in the opposite direction?
These questions will remain unanswered for years to come, but in the meantime, let’s reevaluate what we’re doing and lead by example.
Thoughts?
Mark Robinson says
I love that this is a post about getting rid of tech written on a tech blog!
Eric Dye says
😉
Rachel Blom says
I agree with some of these, esp about multitasking, but I don’t think getting rid of stuff is the answer. It’s about putting technology in its proper place, about healthy boundaries. Switching off by choice seems healthier to me than avoiding it or getting rid of it!
Eric Dye says
Agreed!